Important Social Networking Websites in PR

In this blog I will discuss the most popular social networking sites and give you some tips on how to use them.


Facebook
Facebook was launched in February 2004 and since has gained over one billion users. Mark Zuckerberg founded facebook with his college roomates when he was studying in Harvard. The site has been constantly evolving and improving since 2004 and now it's vital for everyone to have an account in order to be recognised as a social being. It is used to post comments, pictures and videos, chat, add friends, play games and apps as well as create events, services and groups. Advertising is on going on facebook and its one of the most simple ways to promote an event, person or company. As a Public Relations professional it's advised that you set up an account if you don't have one because it's a great and easy way to stay in touch with your publics.

Twitter
Twitter is a social networking site which has a microblogging service that lets users created posts up to 140 characters called tweets which can be retweeted. Jack Dorsey created Twitter in March 2006 and was launched later that year in July. Since then it has gained over 500 million members and is increasing daily. The aim of the site is to create mini blogs using Hash tag links (e.g. #) and having your tweets seen and retweeted. This then will promote your page and will increase your followers. Followers are like friends on facebook. The more followers you have the more well known your page is. Celebrities have the most followers so the goal is to get them to retweet and follow you.

YouTube
YouTube is a video sharing website where you can create videos and share them with your friends, family and the world. It was created by three former PalPal emplyees on Valentines Day 14th February 2005 and since then has exploded. Over 4 billion hours of videos are watched every month on youtube. Its a great way to promote PR clients. Many people have become famous through their YouTube videos e.g. Justin Bieber. In PR its advised you create a YouTube so you can promote your clients e.g. Guerilla marketing

Social networks are free to join and easy to set up so in PR its important to take advantage of this and set up accounts on the most popular sites.